Unlike many people that can stay productive on an aircraft or sitting in a cab, I often times find my minds wandering into curious corners. Here are two recent thoughts that are sharable.

1.Do men fly more than women?

I don’t have any statistics to back it up. But somehow I’ve got the impression that I see more men than women flying. I would guess in the leisure market, the customer base should closely track the population, half of which is male and the other half female. That leaves us with the business travelers… So do men tend to have the kind of jobs that involves air travel more than women? I guess first of all, I don’t even know whether the premise is true or not – do men really fly more than women, or is it just my frustration that the few good looking female passengers never end up sitting by me? Never ever that is. Not that I would do anything, being happily loyally married…

2.Why don’t taxi drivers like credit cards?

I know there is processing fee, but more and more small businesses are accepting them, while many cab drivers are simply hostile about it. In LA they have the crazy system that the drivers would have to get an authorization code first, and it can take forever. In that case I guess I understand. Time spent idling means potential business opportunity lost, although I always try to make up for it by adding some extra tips. In Chicago it’s the old fashioned imprint thing and I don’t see as much objection. In Toronto some drivers simply say they can’t take credit cards and I don’t know better. In New York I never dare to try – plus there it’s usually $10 or $20 fares, and that kind of cash I usually do have. But come on, we are in the 21st century, the facebook century. Why can’t someone figure out an efficient electronic payment system for both the drivers and customers? I would think the drivers will like it in that less cash means less robbery risk…

In New York I never dare to try – plus there it’s usually $10 or $20 fares, and that kind of cash I usually do have. But come on, we are in the 21st century, the facebook century. Why can’t someone figure out an efficient electronic payment system for both the drivers and customers? I would think the drivers will like it in that less cash means less robbery risk…

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I don't know why you don't dare - every taxi takes credit cards and it is a self-service system.

Credit Card/Debit Card Payment System - Taxicabs now accept cash and credit/debit cards for all fares. The equipment is installed in the rear of the cab to provide a high level of security as passengers swipe their own card and are in control during the transaction.

It is a bit strange that they are so hostile. I have had some NYC cab drivers say that they get charged fees. Perhaps they are making so little after the car and fuel expenses, and the cost of the medallion, that every percentage haircut in credit card fees hurts.

I was actually thinking about this last weekend as I observed my fellow passengers, particularly in F. I was absolutely in the minority.

Definitely the majority of elites are men, especially at the higher levels. Look at almost any domestic flight in F where UDU/EUA or similar is in effect and you'll see generally 75%+ men. Watch the elite boarding - same thing. In back, much more even.

Also seem to be more solo men travelers than solo women, which also lends credence to the majority of woman travelers being more leisure than business, and thus in the minority overall.

It is a bit strange that they are so hostile. I have had some NYC cab drivers say that they get charged fees. Perhaps they are making so little after the car and fuel expenses, and the cost of the medallion, that every percentage haircut in credit card fees hurts.

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Do they really think that being hostile to their customers and demanding cash is going to be more lucrative than accepting plastic, once tips are factored in?

If a driver is being impolite and demanding cash over credit, I'd happily pay the exact amount on the meter and not a cent more, assuming I had the cash on me. Otherwise my tip would be similar to what goodandclassy cites.

If you depend on tips, treat the customer politely, at a minimum. Seems like common sense.

These are readily available and are being used by some tradesmen now, this means more FF points for us

There is a thing called the cash economy where you can say your takings were $X when they were $Y and pocket the difference tax free. This of course is highly illegal and would not be considered by most operators

Had a Taxi Driver in the other day. He said he likes the Credit Cards because usually the tips are better. However, what he did not like is that he had to pay 10% on the processing! He said that the 10% is to have Yellow process the tickets. (They are probably gouging the drivers) This supposedly covers the CC processing (approx 3-4%) and to give the driver the amount of cash equal to the fare + tip.

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